Automobile frame member.



PATENTED DEC. 31

M. W. GARTSHORE. AUTOMOBILE FRAME MEMBER:

APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1906.

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THE NORRIS PETERS co., wAs ulmzToN, n. c

MATTHEW \V. GARTSHORE, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PARISH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW JERSEY.

OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION AUTOMOBILE FRAME MEMBER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed April 5, 1906. Serial No. 309,971-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW W. GART- SHORE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Reading, county of Berks, State of Pennsylvania, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Frame Members, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to frame constructions for automobiles and it consists in an improved form of side members therefor, the main object of which is to secure maximum carrying strength and rigidity of transverse connection with a minimum weight of material employed.

The invention is fully described in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a referred embodiment thereof, and the nove features are specifically pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a side member for automobile frames embodying my im provement, a portion of a transverse connectmg bar or transom being shown secured thereto. Fig. 2 is an inner-view longitudinal elevation of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken respectively on the lines 33 and 44 of Figs. 1 and 2.

My improved side-frame member is formed from a suitably shaped sheet-metal blank as usual, by bending and pressing operations, the general cross-sectional form primarily imparted thereto being channel or U-shaped as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, and one of the flanges a being adapted to serve as a horizontal bearing surface extending inwardly from the vertical web portion 1); the cross-sections at different points in the length of the member being varied to suit the requirements.

In order to-secure greater strength and rigidity in the member itself while at the same time providing for a very simple and rigid connection of the parallel side-frame members to the transversely extending beams or transoms c, I preferably make the flanges a of considerable width, and then turn edge portions (1 thereof, intermediate of the transoms, approximately parallel with the web I), leaving intervening flange portions unbent and extending inwardly beyond the turned-edge portions d, to form transom brackets e. The inwardly projecting brackets 6 thus formed by the unbent portions of the flanges (1 enable the transom beams to be very securely riveted or connected to the side-members, thereby giving great rigidity to the general frame structure as well as to the side members themselves, while the inherent rigidity of the latter intermediate of the transoms is at the same time greatly increased by the bending of the edge portions d of the flanges as described.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the lower flange a is either left flat as indicated in full lines, or bent parallel with the web 5 as indicated in dotted lines, the latter construction however being preferable as affording increased rigidity. The curved ribbing f of the bent portions 01 of the flanges, into the flat bracket portions 6, gives great strength to the latter, and permits of increased rigidity and strength in the transom connections thereto.

The preferred construction specifically shown and described may obviously be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is 1. An automobile frame comprising pressed-steel side members each having an inwardly extending bearing flange the edge portion of which is turned approximately parallel with the Vertical web at intervals and the unbent intermediate portions of which form inwardly extending transomconnecting brackets with integral ribs f, and separate transom members extending between the vertical web portions of said side members and said bracket bolted to said. brackets substantially as set forth.

2. An automobile frame comprising pressed-steel side members each having a vertical web and an inwardly-extending bearing flange the edge portion of which is turned approximately parallel with the vertical web at intervals and the unbent interribs and rigidly v mediate portions of which form transom- In testimony whereofllaffix my signature, connecting brackets extending inward bein the presence of two witnesses. yond the turned portions, and separate MATTHEW Vv GARTSHORE members extending between the vertical Web portions of said side members and rig- Witnesses:

idly bolted to said brackets substantially as p D. M. STEWART, set forth. W. G. STEWART. 

